Cupids Peak

by Lee Jacquot

The funny thing about him was that we never even dated. I’m not even sure if you could define us as real friends. We had random hallway conversations, and then I later tutored him after his math grade threatened to have him benched. Eli Brooks.

Definitely gonna be the guy she goes on a date with

“No, I get that. Math is my bread and butter. I barely even choke up around you when I’m talking about math.” What the hell? Why did I just say that?

Eli laughs, and the sound is enough to soothe all of the anxiety working through me. “I’m messing with you, Mia. I definitely didn’t fall for you over math problems.”

The way he said that kind of seems to imply that he did fall for her though

The thought is sudden and reminds me why this didn’t work back then and why it definitely wouldn’t work now. Mia has always been the type to stay out of everyone’s line of sight. She likes keeping to herself and probably prefers her orgasms to be inside, in her bed, hidden in the dark.

This is interesting, considering we already know that she can’t have orgasms if she knows that people are around to hear them so I wanna know how this is going to play out.

“I’m sorry,” the man starts. “I saw a moment he was free and couldn’t help but come say hello. I’m a huge fan of your boyfriend.” Eli shakes his head. “Not a problem. It’s always a pleasure to meet a fan.” The man shakes Eli’s hand before going back to his table. When he’s far enough that he can’t overhear, I ask the obvious, “I’m not sure what I should be more curious about. The fact I have a famous boyfriend I knew nothing about, or if it bothers you to be recognized everywhere you go.”

“Knowing people are watching me…” He pauses, his low gaze flicking up to mine. His gray irises have my heart pounding faster and my breath coming a little quicker. “It encourages me to do more. Do better.” My bottom lip disappears between my teeth as I try to capture some type of coherent speech. “I—um, I can understand that.” He arches a brow. “Can you?

Now it’s his turn to look confused. His mouth parts twice, and a deep valley forms between his brows. “She sat right behind me. You stared at her the entire time.” I’m not sure what’s funnier. Him thinking I could see anyone behind his large frame or him believing I wanted to see anyone else besides him. Maybe it’s my sister screaming in the back of my head or the reality that I really don’t want to leave this dinner with any regrets, but I tell him the truth. “I was staring at you, Eli.” He narrows his eyes in suspicion. “No way. I saw you after the ceremony. Your sister was saying she was glad you were able to focus on your happy place.”

“When’s the last time you’ve been on a date?” He takes a slow drink of his mojito and smirks behind the rim. “Does our time in the diner count? Because if so, ten years ago.” I scoff, unsuccessfully tampering down the influx of excitement threading through me. “The game is called truth or dare, Eli. Not say cute things you think’ll help get you under my dress.”

One of his shoulders lifts half-heartedly. “The only attention I ever wanted, I’m getting right now.”

“You could say I’m direct,” he finally says. “I like to say what I want, how I want it, and how they’re going to give it to me.”

Now it’s my turn to be intrigued. I hold up my index finger toward him, an unspoken agreement to the promise. I wonder if he even remembers our little gesture. It was something like a secret handshake, inspired by our love of movies made in the seventies and eighties.

I think it remembers it if he’s does the little touching index fingers, and like a handshake with his teammates and fans, so I doubt he just forgot where he learned that from.

“I’ve had a thing for you since freshman year when I overheard you and your sister talking about who you’d fuck-marry-kill when it came to the cast of The Breakfast Club.”

Anxiety swirls around in my chest, threatening to steal the swell of arousal he’s inflicted. We can’t stay here. It’s Valentine’s Day, and this resort is notorious for being booked months out.

I’m gonna guess they’re either gonna make an exception for him because he’s famous or he’s already booked a room because he was hoping that the state would go there.

“I dare you to let me show you how obsessed I was with you ten years ago.”

That even after all these years, I haven’t found anyone who makes me smile or laugh or feel at home the way you did?”

“I want to know you’re sure because this has been brewing for a very long time, and I intend to take everything you’re willing to give me. And I expect you to take everything I give.”

“You’re doing so good, Mia. Can I tell you something before I have you come all over my hand?” She attempts to speak, but after the word comes out indecipherable, she nods. A smile stretches across my lips. “This belongs to me, tonight.”

“Oh my god.” This makes me chuckle. “I don’t think he was underneath the table just now.”

“My secret—my truth, Mia—is that you belong to me. Always have. Always will.”